Senior Israeli official to visit Turkey for talks

Israeli Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Yossi Gal will pay a visit to Ankara on Tuesday.

Gal's visit till take place within the scope of regular consultations between foreign ministries of Turkey and Israel.

Gal is expected to meet Turkish State Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Egemen Bagis and Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu.

Gal's visit takes place after a diplomatic row between Turkey and Israel caused by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon's ill-treatment of Turkish ambassador in Tel Aviv Oguz Celikkol.

Ayalon who summoned Celikkol to express Israel's uneasiness over a Turkish TV-series showing Israeli agents kidnapping a child, had Celikkol sit at a lower armchair in front of a table with only the Israeli flag on it, denying him an handshake in front of the press.

Ayalon's snub violating all diplomatic manners drew strong reaction from Turkish officials, and strained relations to the point of breaking.

The diplomatic crisis ended when Israel apologised with a letter after repeated calls from Turkey which warned otherwise that it would withdraw its ambassador.

/World Bulletin/